Irene
A week after, okay naman kami ni Greggy. He's in the work now and palapit na ng palapit ang Christmas.
At hinahanap ko yung bagong libro ko. Hindi ko mahanap jusko.
"Ateee!" I hissed, kinuha nanaman ang libro ko. "Ano? anag damot mo, pabasa lang e!" she shouted.
"Hindi ko pa tapos yan! ibalik mo na kasi!" I shouted back. "Ano ba yan, Imee, Irene? bangayan kayo ng bangayan." Mommy uttered at pumewymang.
"Si Ate, mommy! Nangunguha ng libro ng may libro!" I hissed.
"Imee, ibalik mo nga yung libro ni Irene. You have money to buy it." Mommy told her.
"Mommy, hiniram ko lang naman e." sabi ni Ate at lumabas ng kwarto niya.
"Kayo para kayong mga bata." Mommy replied.
Lumabas naman ako at bumaba. I sat in my chair, frowning.
"Magkasalubong nanaman ang kilay mo?" Kuya asked me.
"Pake mo ba?" I asked. "Hay nako, ibalik mo na nga yung libro nya, Imee." Mommy uttered.
Ate left so I just started eating. I startled when she gave me the book.
"Oh, magpadilig kana. Baka kulang ka lang sa dilig." she stated, loudly.
I looked at her. "Atee?!" I hissed, Ate and Mommy laughed.
"Oh bakit? these past two weeks, ang haggard mo e. Hindi blooming." she replied.
I glared at her. "Bunganga mo, ang laswa!" I hissed, she laughed.
"So? where's adults anyway." she said as I rolled my eyes.
After we ate I just stayed to my room. As I'm reading my book, I heard someone knocked.
"Yes? who's that?" I asked as I opened the door. I saw Ate. "Oh bakit nanaman?" I asked. She entered to my room and lay down to my bed.
I looked at her, disbelief. "Wala ka bang sariling kuwarto, ate?" I hissed.
"Bakit ba ang sungit mo? inaano ba kita?" she asked.
"Eh kasi naman. Para kana kamong si Kuya." I uttered.
Wala naman na siyang sinabi at binuksan nalang ang TV ko. I sighed, wala talaga akong laban dito.
Habang nagbabasa ako, I realized that wala pa akong nabibiling pang-regalo for Christmas.
"Ay ate!" I exclaimed.
"Makasigaw? nasa kabilang kwarto ba ko?" she asked. "Hindi, kasi I remembered that wala pa akong nabibiling gifts for Christmas." I replied.
"Oh, so?" she asked. "Punta tayo mall. Tayong dalawa lang." I told her.
"Ay want ko yan, let's go." she replied and stood up. I looked at the clock and it's 10:30 am.
"Hoy ate, dapat 11:10 makaalis na tayo ha." I told her, I saw she nod before leaving.
Lumabas naman ako para magpaalam kay Mommy, while I am walking I saw Kuya.
"Bakit?" I asked, as I saw him pouting. "Ayaw ba naman ako patulugin katabi niya." I laughed, I know he's referring to Liza.
"Deserve. Shot puno mo nalang yan." I told him.
"How about you, bunso? aano ka?" he asked. "Kay mommy, aalis kami ni Ate." I replied.
"Bakit di niyo ako isasama?" he asked, I rolled my eyes. "Bakit kapatid ba kita?" I asked and laughed.
"Wow ha! for your information, ako ang nauna sayo so hindi mo ako nakitang pinanganak. Ikaw nga eh, nakuha lang ni Daddy sa Sta. Monica." I rolled my eyes.
Sakin din pala ang balik nang huling alas ko.
"Bahala ka nga dyan." I replied and left. I heard his laughter.
"Masyado ka nanamang pikon dyan." he uttered. "I'm not pikon!" I exclaimed.
Hinayaan ko nalang siya and I knocked on Mommy's door.
"Come in." Mommy said so I opened her door and I saw her combing her long hair.
"Hi, mommy." I greeted her as I give her a peck kiss.
"How's my bunso?" she asked. "Fine, haha. Si Mommy akala mo hindi tayo magkasabay nung breakfast." I replied.
"Eh I'm not updated to your life nowadays e. Unlike before." she replied.
"Ah basta, I'm okay." I replied. She chuckled. "Kailan mo ba sinabing hindi ka okay?" she asked.
"Kay Daddy ko lang naman sinasabi yun, diba mom?" I asked, and she nodded.
"Anyways, Ate and I will go to the mall. Want to come?" I asked.
"No. Isama mo nalang yung Kuya mo." she replied. I playfully rolled my eyes.
"Ayoko nga, mommy. Nakakainis pagmumukha nun." I replied, she laughed.
"Ay nako, madaming tao ang nagsasabi na magkamukha kayo." she replied.
"No!" I replied, she laughed.
"You're still the matapang Irene, we knew." she replied, I chuckled.
"Sige na, mommy. I'll go take a bath, baka magsalubong pa kilay nun." I replied, she nodded while giggling.
I gave her a kiss as I went out of her room. I went to my room and prepare my clothes.
---
"Irene let's go, it's already 11:20!" I heard Ate yelled so I immediately get my bag and went downstairs hurriedly.
I saw how pissed she is.
"May pasabi-sabi ka pang 11:20 tapos di mo susundin." she replied.
"I'm sorry, okay? I lost time." I replied.
"Nakapagpaalam kana ba kay Mommy?" she asked, I nodded. "Then let's go." she replied and left.
I just followed her. "Ate, can we pay visit to Greggy?" I asked, when we're already in the car.
"Now na?" she asked. "Ikaw, pwede din namang later nalang." I replied.
"Kuya, sa kumpanya tayo ni Greggy." she uttered, I smiled secretly.
I did not message or told Greggy that I will visiting him today.
Once we arrived, I immediately get down. "Excited?" Ate asked, I just giggled.
We both enter and some of his employees, greeted us.
"Goodmorning po." we smiled. "Goodmorning too." I replied.
"Hala, Ms. Irene?" a girl called me. "Yes, why?" I smiled.
"Hala! beh si ms. Irene yung kausap ni Sir Greggy noon! yung naki-sali sali tayo!" she pulled to her side the other girl.
Oh I remember it!
"Oh, that's you pala? I remembered you." I replied. "Anyway, this is my sister. Imee Marcos."
"Ay goodmorning po."
"Goodmorning too! Based on what I heard, I need to talk to the both of you." Ate uttered.
I felt the nervousness of the two girls. Kaya siniko ko naman si Ate.
"Ah no, no. The talk I am referring to, is chika." she replied.
I felt the relieve. "Akala ko naman po may nagawa kaming mali." we laughed.
"What's your name nga pala?" I asked. "Izrea po ako and Elijah po siya."
"Ang hirap naman i-pronounce ng name mo. How nga uli?" Ate asked.
"Hehe, biktima po ng pinaghalong pangalan. Izrea (ayzrea) po." we laughed.
"Oh I see, anyways andyan ba ang Sir Greggy nyo?" I asked.
"Ah opo. Nasa office nya po." Elijah replied. "Oh, then we'll go na. I'll see you around."I told them.
They smiled and bid a goodbye. We then continue our walk and went to the elevator.
"Wala ba si CJ?" I asked. "Wala. Nasa Baguio, kasama ang family nya." Ate replied.
"Nakilala mo na ba family nya?" I asked, she nodded. "I met them twice, already."
"They love you?" I asked. She's about to answer, "If not, then break up with him." I added.
"Ay nega ka? of course, they are. And why would I break with CJ if they didn't like me? hello, I'm inlove with CJ not to them."
"Sinasabi ko lang naman. And I'm just worrying kung hindi ka nila gusto, they might say bad words to you that can hurt you."
"Baliw, they like me no. So nothing to wprry about." she replied and exactly the elevator opened.
"Hi, Maam who's your looking for po?" a boy asked me.
"I'm looking for Greggy." I said. "Is there any appointment po with him?" he asked.
"No, I'm his girlfriend so I don't think I need that."
"Oh, sorry po. I will just inform him po." I nodded. "Wait, don't tell him that it's me." I told him, he nodded.
We just waited a minute until he went out again. "Medyo na-confuse po siya but pasok nalang daw po kayo." he replied, I chuckled.
I opened his door and I saw him reading a paper.
"Goodmorning, love." I greeted him, he looked at me and smiled.
He stood up and hugged me tightly. "Hi, love. I missed you so much." he replied.
"I missed you too, you're too busy kasi." I replied.
"Have a seat, Imee. Want a juice or something?" he asked us.
"No, I'm fine." she replied. "How's you?" I asked, him. "Tired, as usual but you're here na e." he said.
I smiled, he then sit to his swivel chair again. "Come here." he told me.
I went to him as I sat in his lap. I then encircle my arms to his shoulder.
"You're so beautiful, love." he uttered and kissed my cheeks. I smiled. "Thank you, did you ate na?" I asked.
He shooked his head. "Not yet pa, love. Ikaw?" I also shooked my head.
"Lord third wheel nanaman ba ako?" we heard someone asked. We both looked at Ate Imee and chuckled.
"There's a cafeteria outside, you can go there if you want." Greggy told her.
"Sige, punta na muna ako dun." we gave her a nod.
When she left, I buried my head to his neck. "Ang bango mo, what perfume do you use?" I asked.
"The one you gave me." he replied. He caressed my hair.
"Aalis ba kayo ni Ate mo?" he asked, I nodded. "We're going to the mall but if you will tell me that you will come also, I will disagree."
He chuckled. "You're advance but why?" he asked.
"Because that's sister bonding then you will come? no way. We'll just schedule a date for us, okay?" I told him and kissed his cheeks.
"Okay, love. Just take care, hmm?" he whispered.
"Of course, I will come to you pa e."I chuckled when he blushed.
"You're blushing aren't you?" I asked. "Hmm but don't tease me." I chuckled.
"No, I won't. I love you, Mr. Araneta." I uttered.
"I love you more, Ms. Marcos. Soon to be my Mrs. Araneta?" he asked, I laughed.
"Sira! What time na ba?" I asked. "12:01, love. You want to eat?" he asked. "Yeah, I'm hungry e." I replied.
"Okay, then let's go, mylove." he uttered so I stood up and he also does.
We went to the cafeteria first to call Ate Imee.
"Ate, let's go. We'll eat na." I uttered, she's talking to Izrea and Elijah.
"Maiwan ko na kayo dyan, text me nalang ha?" Ate uttered, the two chuckled and nodded.
After that, Ate went to us. "Naki-chismis ka pa ay." I uttered, she laughed.
"They're funny ha." she replied. "Yeah, yeah. They are." Greggy replied. "Where do you guys want to eat ba?" he added.
"I want filipino dishes." I told him. "Ikaw ba ate?" I asked.
"Kayo bahala, third wheel lang naman ako." she replied, I glared at her, she laughed.
"Sa carinderia nalang, as you said you want filipino dishes." She replied.
I looked at Greggy, kasi for me, okay lang pero siya kasi, baka hindi siya kumakain sa carinderia.
"Do you have experience eating in carinderia?" I asked him.
"Of course, love. I usually ate there with Joshua." he said, I nodded.
"Saan namang carinderia?" I asked. "I know one, wait I'll call my driver na." I nodded.
Tumabi naman sakin si Ate. "Iba din si Greggy no?" she whispered, I nodded.
"Akala ko nga hindi pa siya nakakain o hindi niya alam yung carinderia." I replied, she laughed.
"Let's go, love, Imee." he called us.
"Jusko 'tong lalaki mo, Irene. Pupunta ng carinderia nang naka-tuxedo." Ate uttered, I laughed.
Lumapit naman na kami. "Baka bigyan ka nang special treatment sa pupuntahan natin dahil sa suot mo." I told him as I'm laughing.
Nang makaupo na kami, nagtanong nman siya.
"Why, what do you mean?" he asked, Ate and I laughed.
"What do you usually wear when you're eating there?" Ate asked.
"Uhm, shorts with poloshirt? I usually eat there after Golf e." he replied.
"Eh sir, sa suot niyo po, halata nang mayaman po kayo." the driver uttered.
Tiningnan naman niya ang suot niya. "Is that so?" he asked while scratching his head.
We laughed. "Yeah!" I replied. Hinayaan nalang namin dahil alangan pag-palitin ko pa e papasok din naman siya after.
Nakarating naman na kami. Matagal na raw 'to, but I remembered eating her when I was a kid with Daddy.
"Oh I already ate here! When I was a kid, Me and Daddy usually eat here." I told them.
Pumasok naman na kami and as expected, pagkaupo namin, binigyan na siya ng electric fan.
"Goodmorning, sir, ma'am." A girl greeted us. I smiled.
"Goodmorning too." I replied. Pumili naman na kami ng ulam. "What do you want, love?" he asked.
"Sinigang" I replied. We just bought 4 kinds of dish and 3 cups of rice.
"Ay hijo, hindi na yung lalaki ang kasama moo ah." a woman said to him. He chuckled.
"Hindi ho. Girlfriend ko nga ho pala." He introduced me to her.
"Napakaganda mo, hija. Anong pangalan mo?" she asked me. I smiled, "Irene ho. Eto ho yung kapatid ko, si Imee." I told her.
"Irene, Imee? kayo ba'y mga Marcos?" she asked.
"Ah opo. Anak ho ni Congressman." Ate answered.
Dumating naman na ang pagkain kaya't nagpakuha si Ate ng upuan para sa kanya.
"Upo ho kayo." Ate uttered. "Eh noon madalas dito kumain ang Congressman kasama yung bunso nyang anak. Sobrang taba nga nung pisngi ng bata na yun e." She said.
Ate and I chuckled. "Si Irene ho iyon. Yung mahilig po sa ice cream?" Ate told her.
"Ay ikaw ba iyon? eh hindi nga kami nagkamali, napakaganda mo talaga." I smiled.
"Maraming salamat po." I thanked her.
"Ikaw din hija, alam mo ba na kapag mag-isa lang siyang kumakain dito eh madalas ka niyang naiikuwento saamin."
"Salamat po, eh ganoon po talaga ang Daddy." Ate replied.
Nang matapos kami kumain ay nagpaalam na rin kami.
"Mauna na po kami, may pasok pa ho kasi siya." pagpaalam ko.
"Sige, mag-iingat kayo. Sa uulitin." We smiled.
---
Hinatid nalang namin si Greggy. "Bye, love. Don't work too much okay? get some rest." I reminded him, he smiled.
"Okay, love. You too. Take care, it's super init pa naman." he replied so I kissed his cheeks at nagpalit na ng kotse.
"Iba din ang Daddy 'no?" Ate asked. "Well, he's just very proud of you." I replied.
Siniko naman niya ako. "Kunyari ka pa, we both know that Daddy are very proud of you. You're our bunso kaya." she said.
I chuckled. "Well, our first bunso, our second bunso is Aimee." she added.
"Saan ba tayo?" I asked. "Sabi mo, mall?" she asked.
"Oo nga, pero saang mall?" I asked. "Ikaw bahal. Ikaw mamimili ng regalo." she replied.
"Kuya, SM North nalang tayo." I told the driver. "Sige po, Ma'am." he replied.
I just played Candy Crush in my phone amd while playing, Ate noticed it.
"Titang-tita ka ah." she uttered. "Shh, naglalaro, Ate eh." I replied. Nagfofocus na ako kasi 1 move nalang.
Bigla naman siyang may pinindot kaya natalo. I glared at her.
"Sayang yung lives!" I hissed, she laughed. "Oo na, andito na kasi tayo puro ka pa laro dyan."
I looked around and she's right, we're here. I get down first dahil nga naaasar pa rin ako.
"Saan muna tayo?" she asked when we enter the mall. "Bahala ka dyan." I replied.
"Eto naman! Parang candy crush lang e." she uttered.
"Libre nalang kita. What do you want ba?" she asked and embraced my arms. Napaisip naman ako.
"New shoes?" I asked. "Ah gift ko na yun sayo for Christmas?" she asked, I shooked my head.
"That's your peace offering to me." I replied. She looked at me. "Ang mahal naman ng peace offering." she replied.
"Eh talaga, ang hirap kaya maghintay para magkaroon ng 5 lives!" I hissed, she laughed.
"Oo na! Yung shoes mo muna bago ka bumili ng pang-gifts mo." she replied so I smiled.
We went to Skechers and pagpasok ko palang madami na agad akong nakikita.
"Irene, act like an adult. Para kang bata." she whispered.
"Oh sorry, but I've found one na kasi!" I replied. "Where?" she asked.
I get the rubber shoes and show it to her. "Then we're done that easily?" she asked, I nodded.
"Miss size 7 please." I told the saleslady and smiled.
We just waited a minute and after we proceed to the counter.
"How much, miss?" Ate asked. "3,999 po." a girl uttered.
She then glared at me. I know what it meant, ilocana e. "Oh it's mura lang pala ate." I told her, pero namamahalan na din ako hahaha.
"You owe me something for this." she then told me after giving the money.
After that we left the store. "Ang mahal ng shoes, Irene jusko." Ate commented.
"I know but its peace offering nga diba?" I asked.
"Tamo, namamahalan ka din pala tsaka hindi ba pwedeng food nalang ang peace offering?" she asked.
I shooked my head. "Wow, eh dati lang kapag galit ka sakin, susuhulan lang kita ng pagkain okay na."
"Dati yun, it's different." I replied. "Kain muna tayo?" I added.
"Ay tigilan mo 'ko, Irene. Ako nanaman pagbabayarin mo, eh ako na nga inaya mo e." Ate replied.
"Oh sige na. Ako na magbabayad." I told her, she smiled.
"Mag-ice cream nalang tayo, tutal we already ate naman." I added.
"Ayoko ng ice cream." Ate replied. "Ano choosy ka pa? ikaw na nga ililibre e."
"Ay wow ha, nung ikaw binili ko nung sapatos." she replied. "Peace offering nga yun diba? iba ang libre sa peace offering." I told her.
"Sige na nga, bago pa ako mainis sayo. Iwan pa kita magisa dito." Ate replied, I laughed.
We just went to DQ and after we went to Potato corner.
"Oh okay kana?" I asked her. "Saan ka ba mamimili ng gifts?" she asked.
"SM Department Store. Ikaw ba hindi ka pa mamimili?" I asked her. "Mamimili na rin para isang punta nalang." she replied, I nodded.
When we're done eating, we went to Department Store.
"Maiwan na kita dyan, Irene." Imee uttered. "Okay, call me nalang when you're done." I told her.
Habang nag-iikot ikot, someone called me. When I turned around it's Alex!
He then went towards me and gave me a hug. "How's you?" I asked. "Well, I'm fine but the students are missing you terribly." I chuckled.
"Oh, well feel sorry to them but you know naman diba? I just got back because of what happened." I told him.
"Yeah yeah, no need to explain. Anyway what are you doing here? all by yourself?" he asked.
"No. Imee is with me, but she's also buying gifts e." I replied, he nodded.
"Ano na nga pala ang status nyo ni Greggy?" he asked, while walking. Sumama sakin e, anong magagawa ko?
"Still courting me." I replied, he poked my waist. "Ay kunyari ka pa gurl!" he answered.
"I promise. He's still courting me, no joke." I replied.
"Bakit pinapatagal mo pa? its 19th of December na ha, I'm reminding you. We're not getting younger anymore."
"And so? if he truly loves me then he'll wait." I replied.
I'm just talking to him while picking some clothes for Sandro. "Kahit na." he replied.
"Ay nako, mauna na ako sayo." he added. "May pupuntahan ka pa?" I asked. "Yeah, I'm with my students."
"Students? where are they? you left them?" I asked, worriedly.
"Don't worry, Kevin's with them." he replied, I sighed.
"Okay, okay. Better come back na sakanila." I told him, he smiled. We just bid our goodbye and he left.
Nakabili na ako ng gift para kina Mommy, Liza, Sandro and Greggy.
Nakita ko naman si Ate. "Ate, are you done already?" I asked.
"Yeah, how about you?" she asked. "I'm done too." I replied, we then proceed to the counter to pay our stuffs.
"Miss pwede bang ipa-wrap na 'to?" I asked.
"Ah yes, ma'am. Dalhin nyo nalang po sa gift wrapping area." she replied.
"Okay thank you." I replied, when I'm done paying for my stuffs. I went to gift wrapping area.
Iniwan ko na muna si Ate doon, saglit lang naman 'to.
"Ma'am, is there any message po you want to write here?" he gave me four cards.
"Ah yeah, thank you." I replied and get a ballpen from my bag.
I just wrote a letter for Mommy, Liza, Sandro and Greggy.
"Okay na po, ma'am?" he asked, I smiled and gave it to him.
Pinaiba iba ko ng wrapper para alam ko kung para kanino iyon.
When it's done, "Thank you." I thanked him, he smiled and so I left.
"Ate!" I called Imee. "Saan tayo?" she asked. "Hindi mo ipapa-wrap yan?" I asked and pointing the stuffs she bought.
"Hindi na. Ako nalang." she replied, I nodded. "Then anong oras na?" I asked, while we're walking.
She looked at her watch. "3:34pm." she replied. "Let's go to Luneta Park." I told and pulled her.
"Aray, Victoria!" she hissed, I stopped. Tinawag na akong Victoria e.
"Aano naman tayo sa Luneta? nasisiraan ka na ba ng bait?" she asked.
"Grabe ha. Syempre gagala, ako na nga bahala sa gastos e, ayaw mo pa." I uttered. "Ah sige, sige. Tara." she replied, I rolled my eyes.
I get my phone to call someone. "Hello, papunta na kami." I uttered.
"Sasama siya?" he asked. "Alangan, ako yung i-surprise mo diba?" I asked.
"Oh sorry na. Init ng ulo." he replied, I laughed.
I ended the call. "Sino yun?" Ate asked when she gets in to the car.
"Walaa. Tara na, Kuya. Sa Luneta Park po." I told the driver. Tumango naman si Kiya kaya umayos na kami ng upo.
"Parang ang kunti ng binili mong regalo, Irene." Ate noticed.
"Eh for family lang yan e." I replied. "Eh bakit apat lang?" she asked, again.
"Ang dami mong napapansin, Ate." I told her as I rolled my eyes.
Tumahimik naman siya kaya tumulala nalang ako sa labas. "Ma'am andito na po tayo." thirty minutes later, I think.
Bumaba naman na ako at kasunod ko si Ate. Then she clung to my arms.
"What are we going to do ba here?" she asked. "Wait lang, hinahanap ko pa siya." I replied.
"Who?" she asked. Then I saw him, "Ayun, tara!" I told her. Doon pa talaga sa walang tao pumwesto.
"Psst." I called him. "Huy, Irene sino ba yan? baka kung anong gawin satin nyan ha." she uttered.
I laughed. Nang malapit na kami, tinawag ko siya sa pangalan nya.
"Christian!" I called him, lumingon naman siya. "W-wait, what?" Ate asked, tinuro ko naman si CJ.
Dali-dali namang kumalas sakin si Ate at tumakbo papunta kay CJ.
Imee
"I missed you." I whispered while hugging him. "I missed you too, mahal ko." he whispered, too. Kissing every part of my face.
"Bakit di mo sinabi sakin na uuwi ka?" I asked.
"If I told you, that wouldn't be a surprise. Kay Irene ko nga lang sinabi e." he replied.
"You're so beautiful, mahal." he added, I chuckled.
"Nambobola ka nanaman." I replied. "No I'm not. Anyway, where's Irene?" he asked.
Ay oo nga pala.
"Nasaan nga ba yun?" I asked as I looked around.
Nakita ko naman siya sa nagbebenta ng street foods. "Ayun, kumakain." I told him. Then we went to her.
"Huy, Irene." I called her. "What? kuha kayo. My treat." she replied.
Hinipo ko naman ang noo niya. "Hindi ka naman nilalagnat. Anyari sayo?" I asked.
"Grabe ka naman, ate." she replied, I laughed. Basang basa na ng pawis. I get my towel in my bag and wiped her sweats.
"Irene para kang bata." I told her. "Atleast para lang, hindi isip bata." she replied, I shooked my head.
Tawang-tawa naman si CJ sa kanya, nagvivideo pa nga.
Inilagay naman ni Kuya sa isang plastic yubg pinagbibili ni Irene.
"Thank you, kuya. How much?" Irene asked. "70 pesos lang po." Irene gave her 100. "Okay na kuya. Thank you." she replied.
The vendor smiled and thanked her. Umalis naman na kami at umupo sa bench.
"Oh kumain kana." I gave her the plastic. "Walang water, ate?" she asked.
"Pinakuha ko na." I replied, she nodded and started eating.
"Lagot ka kay Mommy, basang basa ka ng pawis." I told her. "Eh mainit, ate e. Kasalanan ko ba kung mainit?" she asked.
I looked at CJ. "Ikaw naman kasi, bakit dito pa sa Luneta ang pinili mong lugar?" I asked, him.
"That's her suggestion." turo nya kay Irene.
I shooked my head, repeatedly. "Anong oras na?" I asked.
"5:01" CJ replied. "Let's go home." I told them. Tumayo naman na ako kaya sumunod na din sila.
---
Greggy
It's already 6:30 so I'm about to go home when my friends come.
"Oh Greggy, uuwi kana?" Nathan asked. "Oo, uuwi ako kina Irene e." I replied.
"Mamaya kana umuwi, inom muna tayo." Rafael uttered.
"Oo nga, shot na muna tayo sa bar." Santiago agreed.
"Hindi pwede e. I told Irene that I will go home." I told them. "Under ka ba?" Rafael asked.
"I'm sorry?" I asked. "Bakit hindi pwede? alam mo mga lalaki tayo, sunod-sunuran lang naman ang mga babae satin." Santiago said.
"Kaya nga, babae lang naman 'yang si Irene. Nothing special." Nathan replied.
I get his collar. "You don't know Irene. So shut your fucking mouth or else you won't be happy in what will I do to you."
"Bahala ka, kapag hindi ka sumama, hindi mo na kami kaibigan." Rafael uttered.
"It's fine. I don't care how many friends I lose as long as it's not my girlfriend. I also don't want to have fun with people, who thinks that women are just women.'" I uttered and left.
Pagkasakay ko ng kotse, nakita ko ang driver ko.
"Manong sa bahay nila Irene." I told him. Tinawagan ko naman si CJ.
"Yes brad?" he asked. "Nakauwi kana ba?" I asked.
"Oo, ikaw nasan ka?" he asked. "Pauwi palang. CJ kakausapin kita mamaya." I uttered and ended the call.
"Oh sir? parang hindi kayo sumama kina Sir Rafael?" manong asked.
"Hindi ho. Nagsabi ako kay Irene na uuwi ako sa kanila e." I replied.
"Narinig ko ang usapan nyo." he uttered. I looked at him.
"I can live without them but I can't live without Irene." I told Manong. "Sabagay nga. Tama na rin ang hindi ka sumama, hindi maganda ang mindset nila sa mga babae."
I nodded. I just stared outside and wait for us to arrive.
Any minute, we arrived. I knocked on their door. "Oh hijo, you're here." Tita uttered.
Nagmano naman ako. "Good evening po. Si Irene po?" I asked.
"Andyan sa kusina at busy." I chuckled. Pumasok naman ako at dumiretso sa kusina.
Nakita ko naman siya kasama si Imee at nagluluto. Imee saw me but I told her to keep quiet.
When I walked towards her, I hugged her from her back.
"Hi, love." I greeted and kissed his cheeks. "Oh! you're here na pala. Good evening." she replied and kissed my cheeks.
"Ay sige, maiwan ko na muna kayo dyan." Imee uttered so we chuckled.
As Imee left, "How's work?" she asked. "Tiring but fine." I replied, still hugging her.
"Are you going to sleep here?" she asked as she faced me.
"Sorry love, but no." I replied and there she pouted. "Then why are you here?" she asked.
"Because I'm going to sleep beside my girlfriend." I replied and there she showed her brightest smile.
"Nakaluto kana?" I asked as she turns off the stove.
"Yup. Let's go to the dining na." she replied. Naabutan naman namin sila doon. "Andito ka pala CJ." I uttered as I'm surprised he's here.
He laughed. Inihanda naman na nila Manang ang pagkain.
"Where's Tita? sila Bong?" I asked. "Kumain na kanina yun." Irene replied, I nodded.
While eating, CJ spoke. "What are we going to talk about?" he asked me.
"It's about company. I need you to do something." I replied. Tumingin naman si Irene sakin.
"Parang iba ang porma mo, love kesa kanina. What's the matter?" she asked.
"Nothing, love. I'm fine." I assured her, she smiled.
"Kamusta pala yung naging lakad niyo kanina?" I asked them. "Okay lang, nagpalibre lang 'yang girlfriend mo." Imee replied.
I looked at Irene as I chuckled. "That's not libre, that's peace offering." she replied.
"Why, what happened?" I asked. "Pinindot niya yung phone ko kaya natalo ako sa Candy Crush." Irene replied, I laughed softly.
"Candy Crush, love? My mom play that too, and my sister tease her so much about that." I replied.
"What's the matter about playing Candy crush? it's fun noh!"
"Yeah, but nakaka-Tita." Imee replied, I laughed.
"Ah ganun? tinatawanan mo na ako Gregorio? bahala ka. Umuwi kana." Irene told me as she left.
"Oh, wala akong kinalaman dyan ha. Ikaw yung tumatawa." Imee defended herself.
I scratched my head as I stood up to follow her.
"Love!" I called her, she didn't look back so I grabbed her in her waist.
"Aray, ano ba Greggy?!" she hissed. She left and went to her room.
I followed her immediately and knocked on her door. "Love, open it na please. I'm sorry." I told her.
Nakita naman ako ni Bongbong. "Oh andito ka pala, Greggy. Bakit?" he asked.
"E-eh hindi ko alam kung nainis o nagalit e." I told him, he chuckled.
"Tabi ka dyan." He told me so I moved a little to give him a way.
"Bunso, open this." Bonget told her. Irene opened it while pouting. "Why are you pouting?" Bonget asked.
"Itanong mo sa isa dyan!" she replied, Bongbong laughed.
"Love, I'm sorry na kasi." I told her, Bonget pat me in my shoulder and left.
"I'm sorry, love." I apologized as I hugged her. "Tigilan mo 'ko, Gregorio." she uttered.
I kissed her lips. "I love you, mylove. Continue playing Candy Crush." I told her, I saw her smiled.
"Hindi mo na ako pagtatawanan?" she asked. I nodded repeatedly.
"Hindi na po." I replied, she hugged me back. Pumasok naman kami ng kwarto nya at nahiga.
I caressed her hair, "So beautiful, love. Is it tiring?" I asked.
"Tiring? from what?" she asked. "Is it tiring to be pretty everyday?" I asked, she chuckled.
"No. Because you're here to appreciate my beauty everytime." she replied.
"I love you." she uttered and caressed my hair. "I love you more." I answered.
While we're cuddling, someone knocked. "I'll open it, love." I told her, she nodded.
When I opened it, it reveals this cute boy. "Hi, boy. What do you need?" I asked and leveled him down.
"Where's my Tata?" he asked. "She's on her bed." I replied. I carry him to Irene's bed.
"Oh, hi my baby boy!" Irene greeted him. Dali dali namang bumaba sakin at pumunta sa Tata niya at niyakap.
"Why are you not sleeping yet?" Irene asked and smelled his underarm.
"Hmm, amoy pawis. Hindi ka pa naliligo?" She asked.
"I did took a bath na, Tata." Sandro replied. Tumayo naman si Irene. "Wait for me, I'll take a bath lang." she told him.
While she's taking a bath, we're playing a random stuffs that Sandro will find.
When Irene gets out from the bathroom, her eyes grew. "What happened to my bed?" she asked.
Tinuro naman ako ni Sandro. "No, not me." I told her.
"Hay nako, ayan ang floor oh. Pwede niyong paglaruan, dito pa talaga sa kama ko." she uttered.
"Sandro! where are you? come here na, we're going to sleep!" we heard Bonget's voice.
Tumayo naman si Sandro at hinalikan ang pisngi ng Tata niya at naghigh-five sakin bago lumabas.
When Sandro left, "Hay, matutulog nalang may ligpitin pa ako." Irene uttered and started cleaning.
"I'll help you, love." I told her, she didn't answer. When we're done, humiga naman na siya.
I went to the bathroom to clean myself and also to change my clothes.
When I went out, "Love you're going to sleep na?" I asked.
"I don't know, you're going to sleep na rin ba?" she asked and looked at me.
"I'll talked to CJ pa, love e." I told her, she nodded. "Okay, I'll wait for you." she replied. I nodded and went to her.
She gave me a kiss and fixed my hair. I hugged her and kissed her cheeks.
"I'll talk to CJ lang, love ha." I told her, she nod so I head out to her room.
I went to Imee's room and knocked. CJ opened it, "Oh ngayon na?" he asked, I nodded.
"Mahal, kakausapin ko lang si Greggy ha. Sleep if you're sleepy na." He told Imee.
"Okay, love u." Imee replied.
Lumabas naman na si CJ kaya pumunta na kami ng garden.
"Ano ba yun?" he asked. "Pull Rafael, Santiago, Nathan out as investors. Pull out what they invest." I told him.
"Ha? bakit?" he asked. I told him the whole story.
"Alam mo Greggy, wala namang ininvest si Nathan e. Humahanap lang yan ng tyempo na kalabanin ka para kapag nag pull out siya, eh may makukuha siya." He told me, I looked at him.
"Anong makukuha?"
"Syempre magpapalusot yan na may na-invest siya para may balik sa kanya kahit wala naman siyang pinapasok."
"Then that dumb thinks I'm a fool." I uttered.
"Buti nga, natauhan kana ngayon. Matagal ko nang minamanmanan 'yang tatlo." he replied.
"Ako nang bahala." he added, I nod. I stood up as I offer my hand to him as deal.
"Wow, kailangan pa ba yan Araneta?" he asked, I laughed.
"Ay oo nga pala. Si gago ka nga pala." I uttered. "Ah talaga ba, Araneta?" he asked, I laughed.
"Joke lang." I replied. "Bahala kana dyan." he uttered and left.
When he left, I also left and went to Irene's room. When I opened the door, I saw her laying down at papikit na.
When she felt that the door opened, she opened her eyes.
"Oh you're here na. Come na, love. I'm sleep already." she told me. I smiled and went to the bed.
I hugged her tightly. "Hmm, anong pinagusapan niyo ni CJ?" she asked, while her eyes closed.
"About company and investors. May pina-pull out ako e." I told her, she looked at me.
"Why?" she asked. "Long story, love. Let's sleep na, I can already sense that you're sleepy." I told her.
"Wait lang, love malapit na ang Christmas." she told me.
"Tomorrow, I'll cancel all my meetings and will not go to work. I'll date you tomorrow night." I told her.
"Really?" she asked. "Yup. Sayong sayo ako bukas, love." I replied and smiled.
"Bukas lang?" she asked. "Of course not, sayong sayo ako habambuhay." I answered, she chuckled.
I kissed her forehead, cheeks and lips. "Goodnight, my love. I love you." I uttered.
"Goodnight, too. I love you more." she reached my cheeks and kissed it.
I caressed her hair until she fell asleep. I tucked her in comforter and put another pillow under her head.
After that, I charged her phone also my phone and fell asleep too.
Hi, after a month without any update, I want to apologize for making you wait, but here's an another chapter for you, hope you enjoy!
-IreneCelestina